Chapter 11: Act 2- Dark Elves and Dragons
As consciousness returned to Roy, the first thing he noticed was a pair of curious green eyes peering intently at his face. He blinked, focusing on the small, green-haired figure perched beside his bedroll.
"Oh! You're finally awake!" The young-looking girl beamed. "I'm Nowi! And you were doing the coolest dragon stuff ever!"
Roy managed to sit up slowly, his muscles protesting from the aftermath of the battle. "Brother... where...?"
"Odyn? He's fine! Though I really need to know how you two did all that amazing power stuff!" Nowi bounced excitedly. "I mean, I'm a dragon too – well, Manakete technically – but I've never seen humans... or elves... do anything like that before!"
"I need to speak with Lord Chrom and Lady Sybyrh," Roy said, his orange eyes still adjusting to his surroundings. "It's urgent."
Odyn appeared at the tent entrance as if summoned, Lucina at his side. His relieved smile at seeing his brother awake and lucid spoke volumes. "Good to see you back with us, little brother."
"We'll gather everyone," Lucina assured him, squeezing Odyn's hand. "Come on."
As the others left to summon the Shepherds' leaders, Nowi remained, practically vibrating with curiosity. Roy couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm – it was a welcome change from the darkness he'd been trapped in.
"Those markings on your head during the battle," Nowi leaned closer, examining his forehead where the Dragon Crest had blazed. "They felt... familiar somehow. Like when I use my dragonstone, but different!"
Roy's expression softened. "That's because they're connected to dragons, little one. Our people, the dark elves, were blessed by dragons in ancient times."
"Really?" Nowi's eyes widened. "Tell me more! Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?"
Roy chuckled, finding the ancient Manakete's childlike enthusiasm oddly comforting. "Well, long ago, when the world was young, the dragons sought allies among the younger races. The dark elves swore an oath of protection and service, and in return, were granted a portion of dragon power."
"Is that why you and your brother could fly? And make all those cool boom sounds when your swords hit?"
"The Dragon Crests," Roy touched his forehead where the mark had been, "allow us to channel that ancient power. But only those of the royal bloodline carry the full blessing."
Nowi gasped. "Wait... you're a PRINCE?!"
"Technically." Roy smiled wryly. "Though our kingdom fell long ago. Now it's just my brother and me... though I've heard whispers of Lady Sybyrh's survival as well."
"But you can still do all the cool dragon stuff!" Nowi transformed briefly into her dragon form before shifting back. "See? I can do dragon stuff too! Maybe we could practice together sometime? Pretty please? I promise not to breathe too much fire!"
Roy found himself laughing genuinely for the first time since breaking free of the Dragon's Leash. "I'd like that, Lady Nowi. Though perhaps after I've recovered a bit more."
"Just Nowi! And yes! It'll be amazing! We can show everyone how cool dragons and dragon-blessed people are!" She paused, suddenly looking thoughtful. "Though... does this mean your brother is going to make Lucina a dragon-blessed princess when they get married?"
Roy nearly choked. "They're... what?"
"Oh yeah! They're totally in love! It's super cute! Though Owain keeps trying to name their romance something weird like 'The Dragon Prince and the Time-Walking Sword Princess: A Love Story for the Ages' or something."
"I... see." Roy's expression shifted to a mischievous grin that would have warned Odyn to run if he'd been present. "Please, tell me more about my brother's courtship. I seem to have missed quite a bit while I was... away."
"Ooh! Well, first of all, they're ALWAYS making googly eyes at each other during training. And then there was this one time..."
As Nowi regaled him with tales of Odyn and Lucina's romance, Roy felt warmth returning to his heart. He had much to tell the Shepherds about the dark force that had controlled him, about the threats still to come... but for now, sharing stories with an enthusiastic Manakete about his brother's love life seemed like exactly what he needed.
After all, what kind of little brother would he be if he didn't gather some teasing material?
"And then Owain started planning their wedding before they even announced anything!" Nowi giggled.
"Really?" Roy's grin widened. "Do tell..."
To be continued in Chapter 12: Act 2- Dark Revelations